In 1986, Marvel began publishing a scifi comic about humanity's last, desperate stand against alien invaders that was full of tragedy, valor, and sacrifice. It could be a successor to BSG's legacy. Why has it all but vanished from memory?

Created by writer Peter B. Gillis and artist Brent Anderson, Strikeforce: Morituri took place late in the 21st century, when Earth was under siege by an alien species called the Horde. At the brink of defeat, Earth scientists perfected the Morituri Process — named after the Latin phrase "morituri te salutamus" (we who are about to die salute you) — which granted certain individuals metahuman powers while simultaneously curtailing their lifespan to one calendar year. Less that five percent of the human race could undergo the Morituri Process, and ideal candidates were always between 18 and 21 years of age.

So, a small army of beautiful young people with superpowers battle to save the Earth from conquest — only to receive certain death as a reward.

That right there is as beautiful a story conceit as I've ever heard — and perfect for adaptation into a long-form series. And back in 2002 the then-Sci Fi Channel tried to do just that, renaming it A Thousand Days — as such, extending the soldiers' lifespan — but legal issues between Marvel and the creative team scuttled it. Heck, you can't even find trade paperbacks of the series, which ran for just 31 issues.

Which is all a crying shame, because there's such rich material here. Just waiting.